Tips for staying safe on the roads, at picnics this July 4th

Thursday

Jul 3, 2014 at 10:16 AMJul 3, 2014 at 10:16 AM

The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois and federal officials are teaming up to enforce safe driving this holiday weekend.

The Illinois State Police, Secretary of State Police and more than 320 local law enforcement agencies are joining with the state Department of Transportation to crack down on drunk drivers. The campaign features the theme “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” to encourage mandatory safety belt use.

Also participating are officials from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The effort is intended to reduce crashes on Illinois roads during a key summer travel time. Provisional IDOT data show 392 people have died in crashes through July 1 compared to 477 during the same time in 2013.

Construction on hold

Those hitting the roads for the holiday weekend should find fewer delays from highway construction.

The Illinois Department of Transportation says it is suspending non-emergency roadwork where possible starting Thursday afternoon and continuing through the end of the day Sunday.

Thousands of motorists are expected to use state roadways over the Fourth of July weekend.

Some construction zones will still have lane closures in effect.

The agency is reminding drivers that lower work zone speed limits are still in place, even when workers are not on site.

Picnic safety

Illinois health officials have some food safety tips ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend for those planning to picnic. Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck issued some reminders Wednesday.